About
Me
Hello I'm Jan Harvey.
Thank you for taking the time to look at my website.
I started out in publishing when I left university in 1981, but I always wanted to work for myself. I set up a Graphic Design Agency in 1985 and I thoroughy enjoyed coming up with advertising campaigns, designs for brochures and copy-writing.
One of the projects I undertook was the Chamber of Commerce business magazine OXCOM and it was the making of me. I really enjoyed editing and designing it. It led to my meeting some fantastic people and I had the most wonderful experiences.
In 1999, I won the contract to design and edit the magazine for the Thames Valley Region of the FSB and took on the role eagerly because supporting small businesses has always been one of my passions.
After twenty five years in publishing, with the electronic media taking over I moved into the creative world full-time and have immersed myself in my art and writing. I very much enjoy sharing my skills with others and, to this end, I set up creative workshops. I love teaching people.
Many people came to my workshops with a mental block this was often because they were put off writing or art at school. As a result of meeting many such people I decided to train as a Life Coach in order to help them overcome challenges and dismiss the beliefs that are holding them back. I now practice as a Creative Coach.
In my spare time, I love walking, watching old film of the forties and fifties and, I very much enjoy socialising.
I have been studying world religion from an atheist perspective in order to help people overcome enforced beliefs. It has been a fascinating journey. I constantly campaign against child abuse and animal cruelty and for women's equality world wide.
I founded and ran the Critical Arts Group, Studio 8 for fourteen years.
In 2015, I took over the running of the women's networking group, Chippy Lippy. Sadly, networking in person was overtaken by social media and so the decision was taken the close the group in 2018.
I am at my happiest working on new projects such as the collaboration in 2018 with Theatre Maker, Adrian Brooks, saw six of my short stories being read by actors at a special events called 'Allotment.'
I am a professional public speaker with over fifty engagements under my belt so please do contact me if you need to. I can cover Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, West Sussex and Surrey.